Trailer Care
Who wants to be told that a trailer needs extensive downtime work
when the fishing is fantastic? Taking the time now to get your trailer ready for the
season, and performing routine maintenance during the season are just as important for
your trailer as they are for your fishing boat.
Tires:
Check the air pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires cause more blow-outs than
anything else you might encounter on the way to and from the ramp. Without the proper air
pressure, tires can overheat and fail. Make sure to recheck the tire pressure after an
extended haul as well.
Bearings:
Check bearing protectors and, if necessary, add new marine grease. The spring-loaded
piston should be approximately 1/8 of an inch from its seated position.
Lights:
Make sure that all of your trailer lights are working. Periodically check stop and turn
signals. It’s not only for safety’s sake. It might also stop a traffic summons
from ruining your fishing trip.
Safety Chains:
Inspect safety chains before each haul. Safety chains should always be used, no matter
how far or near you’re traveling. If the chains are too long, give them a couple of
twists to keep them from dragging.
Winch Strap:
Before you pull out, make sure that the winch strap is connected to the bow eye, and
that the winch mechanism is in the Latched position. This keeps your boat from
bouncing off the trailer while you’re on the road.
Mirrors:
Always check and, if necessary, adjust your side mirrors before pulling out. Mirrors
have a nasty habit of getting knocked out of line.
Brakes:
If our trailer has brakes, check them and the braking system regularly. It’s
better to discover a problem early on than to find out you don’t have any brakes
while you’re backing down a steep ramp at low tide.
Good trailer-driving habits also ensure the life of your trailer, prevent potential
maintenance problems, and make your trips to the water safer all around.
Stopping:
Avoid sudden stops and maneuvers. Always keep in mind that your vehicle now has as much
as several thousand pounds of boat and trailer behind it. It’s not going to react the
same way as when you’re going to pick up a carton of milk. Leave plenty of room
ahead, behind, and beside you.
Cornering:
Making a turn on some of our suburban side streets can be a chore, but you may do more
than dig up your neighbor’s new lawn if you cut a corner too tightly. Running over a
curb or cutting tight against obstacles can damage the sidewalls of your tires, leading to
serious problems down the road.
Loading & Unloading:
When you’re at the boat ramp, an extra pair of eyes always helps, even if
you’re running a small boat. Always try to have some assistance when you’re
backing down a boat ramp. You’ll eliminate dings and dents, as well as potential
mechanical problems.
Make the time now to learn how to perform routine maintenance chores and give your
trailer a thorough pre-season check-up before the fishing really begins.
Online anglers can also find out more about trailers, and more helpful trailer hints at
ShoreLand’r Online.
Texas Gulf Coast
Fishing
